Tottenham play host to Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.
Spurs supporters, who are desperate for a piece of silverware, couldn’t believe their luck as they were drawn against Pep Guardiola’s side so early in the competition, although City have a wretched record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
England’s dominant force are yet to score, let alone win, at Spurs’ new ground.
The two sides played out yet another thriller at the Etihad back in December as Ange Postecoglou’s short-handed visitors snatched a 3-3 draw in Manchester. Spurs will once again be without several key players for City‘s Friday night visit.
After enduring their annual blip before Christmas, Guardiola’s world champions have rattled off six straight wins in all competitions.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Friday night’s FA Cup fourth round tie.
Tottenham vs Man City H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (all competitions)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom |
ITVX, STV Player, STV Scotland, ITV 1 UK |
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United States |
ESPN+ |
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Canada |
Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now Plus, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now |
Postecoglou is hopeful James Maddison, who has spent ten weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, will be fit to feature on Friday night. The English playmaker returned to training this week and is set to make the matchday squad.
Manor Solomon is also closing in on a return, but Friday’s game could come too soon for the Israeli winger. Giovani Lo Celso is expected to make his comeback against Brentford next week.
Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min are all away on international duty.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Kulusevski, Skipp; Johnson, Richarlison, Werner.
Erling Haaland was back in training at the start of the week and he’ll be in contention to make Guardiola’s starting XI in north London. Haaland could be named in the same XI alongside Kevin De Bruyne for the first time since August.
John Stones should be back on Friday, although a spot on the bench is more likely, while Manuel Akanji and Ederson are both doubts. Oscar Bobb could get a chance after scoring the winner at St James’ Park.
Man City predicted lineup vs Tottenham (3-2-4-1): Ortega; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Lewis; Bobb, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Chaos typically ensues when these two sides meet at the Etihad, with the contests in north London following an alternate dynamic. However, Friday night’s cup tie is bound to be bereft of pragmatism and it should be a spectacle in N17.
Both managers have no reason but to employ strong starting lineups, with Postecoglou’s dynamic approach set to test Guardiola’s obsession with control. City have impressed on their travels this term, but they are conceding goals at a fairly concerning rate.
The absence of Sky Blue slayer Son should aid the visitors, but Spurs should still be expected to have some joy. However, the hosts will undoubtedly surrender chances at the other end with De Bruyne and Haaland keen to make up for lost time.
Surely City’s curse will come to an end on Friday night?
Prediction: Tottenham 2-3 Man City
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90Mins
